
Survey: Decline in Vocations to the Priesthood Is Worse Where Priests Serve Larger Flocks
Only 30 of 175 dioceses ordained an average number of priests at or above replacement level over the five years from 2016 to 2021, according to the report.
Only 30 of 175 dioceses ordained an average number of priests at or above replacement level over the five years from 2016 to 2021, according to the report.
COMMENTARY: The average parishioner wants a priest who loves God and loves them and loves what he’s doing, and they’ll forgive a lot of someone who does all this.
“After the permissive cohorts, there is a steady move toward more conservative views with each successive cohort. Catholic priests ordained since the year 2000 tend to be the most conservative,” Vermurlen wrote.
COMMENTARY: It is no accident that fruitfulness is now missing on the spiritual level. With some exceptions, it has been all but abandoned by the culture and even the faithful.
Pope Francis presided over the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on April 26, during which he, as the bishop of Rome, ordained 19 men for the Diocese of Rome.
The 595 men to be ordained is an increase of 25% from 2014, when 477 men were ordained to the priesthood. In 2013, 497 men were ordained Catholic priests.
COMMENTARY: Are there abusive husbands, bad fathers, tyrannical priests and overbearing prelates? Of course. But the solution is not to get rid of patriarchy, but to get rid of bad patriarachs.
Father Gordon MacRae has been imprisoned for 21 years for offenses he says he never committed.
Comboni Missionary Father John Ssenyondo was murdered earlier this year in Mexico.
Subscriber Service CenterAlready a subscriber? Renew or manage your subscription here.
SubscribeStart your Register subscription today.
Subscribe NowSign up for 6 Free IssuesTry us out with a free trial subscription.
Order NowGive a Gift SubscriptionBless friends, family or clergy with a gift of the Register.
Order NowOrder Bulk SubscriptionsGet a discount on 6 or more copies sent to your parish, organization or school.
Order NowSign-up for E-NewsletterGet Register Updates sent daily or weeklyto your inbox.
Sign Up